Most Vancouverites approach Seattle trips as shopping/nightlife/dining extravaganzas. I should know--the boy and I have been to the Emerald City multiple times without venturing beyond Pike Place Market and downtown! Although we still did our fair share of shopping and eating when we were there last weekend, we also made time to check out sights off our beaten path. Trip highlights included:

Strolling around Fremont, a quirky, formerly independent township which feels like a larger version of Mt. Pleasant. Public art abounds, from a massive troll sculpture under a bridge to a Lenin statue salvaged from the former Soviet Union. We had a lot of fun browsing the Fremont Vintage Mall, where I found brass scallop-shaped bookends for a mere $6.

An incredible meal at La Carta de Oaxaca, a small Mexican eatery in the heart of Ballard (another formerly independent township). We waited 30-45 minutes for a table, but our dinner was well worth it: guacamole and freshly fried tortilla chips; spicy and hearty caldo de pescado; the best mole I've had outside of Mexico--rich and dark, the perfect balance of savory, chocolate, and spicy flavours; and fresh, vibrant halibut tacos.

Watching a tour boat get lifted from sea level (Puget Sound) to lake level (Lake Washington) at the Chittenden Locks.

Vancouver readers, I want to know: What do you like to do when you're in Seattle?

3 comments

There is so much to see in and around Seattle! Hubby and I like to make a trip to Toulouse Petit for breakfast - their beignets are the best! Ballard has some fantastic places to eat - we'll be checking out "Bittersweet" next time we go. I'm a huge Madewell fan - I like your finds! I think I will check out Fremont Village Mall - do you recall if they have a good selection of vintage costume jewelry?

Ooh thanks for the Toulouse Petit recommendation--will have to check it out next time!

The Fremont Vintage Mall had a pretty good selection of vintage jewelry (most of it in glass cases), but it's still one of those places where you have to really dig for a gem. There's a neat vintage store in Ballard we stumbled on by chance called Trove; higher prices, but the selection is curated much better and all the pieces are in immaculate condition.